“The truth is that all leaders frequently face ethical, moral, and even legal decisions sometimes on a grand scale, and sometimes with small, obscure issues. In fact, almost every decision a leader makes has some ethical component. In addition, the organizational environments that leaders work
in vary.
“In some organizations, using a company paperclip for a personal project is seen as wrong. In other cases, particularly new-style tech organizations, managers are encouraged to spend company money keeping their employees fed. In some companies, middle managers are even encouraged to use company funds to buy birthday presents for the children of employees.
“Sometimes the ethical practices, rules, and regulations are spelled out and clear, but often they are not. A good leader will learn from others what the organization formally and informally allows and will also know their own personal limitations.”